HomeFreshwater aquarium fishCatfish & plecosGreen gold catfish Green gold catfish (Corydoras melanotaenia) Scientific name: Corydoras melanotaenia Regan, 1912 The Green gold catfish (Corydoras melanotaenia) is a freshwater fish of the family Callichthyidae that grows to about 7 cm (2.8 in). It is easy to keep and peaceful, suits community aquariums and needs water at 22–26°C (72–79°F) and a pH of 6.0–8.0. Native range: South America, Manacacacias, tributary of the Rio Meta and in the Rio Ocora, the Rio Guatiquia and the Rio Negro, west of Puerto Lopez. Green gold catfish care at a glanceCare levelEasyTemperamentPeacefulCommunity tankGoodAdult size7 cm (2.8 in)Temperature22–26°C (72–79°F)pH6.0–8.0Hardness2–25 dGH (36–446 ppm)DietOmnivore. Accepts flakes. Species factsScientific nameCorydoras melanotaeniaFamilyCallichthyidae (Callichthyid armored catfishes)OrderSiluriformes (Catfish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length5.8EnvironmentFreshwater;; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 2 - 25 demersalClimateTropicalDistributionSouth America: Meta River basin in Colombia.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessUsesAquarium: commercialResilienceMedium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec = 150) More catfish & plecosFalse spotted catfishCorydoras leucomelasSalt and Pepper catfishCorydoras habrosusCorydoras armatusAdolf's catfishCorydoras adolfoiSchwartz's catfishCorydoras schwartziFalse network catfishCorydoras sodalisSee all catfish & plecos SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.Last updated 28 September 2026